Who is leaving Tottenham and what impact will losing them have?
By Gary Pearson
A number of personnel changes are expected heading into the summer, but whose departure from Tottenham – if they actually leave – is going to hamper the club most?
From the most to least detrimental impact on Tottenham, we’ve ranked how the players purportedly leaving north London will affect the side in their absence.
1. Christian Eriksen
Losing Christina Eriksen won’t be easy, even if Tottenham are able to secure Lo Celso from Real Betis. Spurs don’t have another footballer like him in the team. He’s a mercurial talent who, on his day, is one of the world’s best.
It’s well documented, particularly of late, how Eriksen finished the 2018-19 season, disappearing or fading into the background for lengthy periods. His character in pivotal moments in the most important games has also come into question. Regardless, his departure will leave a gaping void in Spurs midfield. The club has surely planned for this inevitable day, and one hopes they’ll secure a like-for-like replacement before selling him to the highest bidder, most likely Real Madrid.
Impact = Major
2. Fernando Llorente
Who could have predicted that the prospect of Fernando Llorente leaving would cause such a rousing stir? Just six months ago supporters were clamouring to see the Spaniard on the next flight out of London. What a difference a few months can make, with Llorente now lauded across North London. It will be sad to see the Spaniard go, as his experience and nose for a big goal puts him second on the list of players Spurs will miss most. Llorente can leave N17 with his head held high. The friendly giant has proven that first impressions aren’t always accurate.
Impact = Medium
3. Kieran Trippier
The Bury Beckham has slipped into oblivion, his stock diminishing like BP’s after its infamous oil spill. His meteoric rise happened as quickly as his fall from prominence. Less than a year ago Trippier was on the verge of being England’s World Cup hero. Now the Englishman struggles mightily to find any consistency. Often erratic defensively, Trippier has even found it difficult to execute the skills on which his pay cheque is primarily based.
Impact = Medium
4. Victor Wanyama
You might not want to admit it, but Victor Wanyama is possibly on his way out of north London. His departure won’t be felt as acutely as it would had he left at the end of last season, when he was consistently one of Mauricio Pochettino’s first names on the team sheet. He will, with certitude, be an asset wherever he ends up.
Impact = Medium
5. Michel Vorm
The experienced keeper never really made a massive impact on Spurs, so his departure won’t hamper the club. The 35-year-old provided a wise, calming voice in the locker room and will be missed by many of Tottenham’s younger players. The sands of time are definitely against him, and Paulo Gazzaniga is ready to take on more responsibility.
Impact = Minor
6. Everyone else
The exodus of Cameron Carter-Vickers, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Vincent Janssen, Marcus Edwards, Josh Onomah will have the impact of a mosquito bite. It will be fleetingly irritating, but the itch won’t last long. None of these players enjoyed strong spells with Spurs, with only Janssen cracking the first team, albeit sparingly. And we all know how that experiment turned out.
Do you think Serge Aurier will stay at the club? How about Eric Dier and Kyle Walker-Peters? Do you think any of the players on the list will stay for the 2019-20 season?